Thursday Bolts – 7.1.10

Sebastian Pruiti of NBA Playbook has a fantastic post up about improving OKC’s pick and roll: “Last year, the Thunder were the NBA’s surprise team. Their front office did a fantastic job of gathering young talent, but they weren’t expected to seriously compete for a playoff spot. The Thunder were able to sneak up on a lot of people. This year is going to be different, because teams are going to taking the Thunder seriously from the start. To get where they want to be, the Thunder are going to need to improve on the offensive end. Using SynergySports you see that the Thunder’s weakest offensive option is the pick and roll. According to Synergy, the Thunder only had .80 points per possession on possession considered “Pick and Roll Ball – Handler,” which was good for 22nd in the league. As for possession considered “Pick and Roll – Roll Man,” the Thunder only scored .97 points per possession, ranking them 24th in the NBA.”

Oklahoma City makes an offer to LeBron James. The deal? A luxury suite at least once per homestand, letting James create a “LeBratwurst” hotdog with toppings of his choice, the chance to throw out the first pitch every night, giving him all free promotional giveaways; changing ticket packages to honor James’ number, four tickets to the “All You Can Eat” section and gift certificates to local businesses.” Did I mention this is coming from the OKC Redhawks, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers?

I continue to chuckle at Richard Jefferson opting out: “Spurs spokesman Tom James said the nine-year veteran informed the team Thursday. Jefferson was due to make about $15 million next year after underachieving in his first season in San Antonio. Jefferson, who turned 30 years old this month, averaged 12.3 points last season, his lowest since his rookie year.”

The official site catches up with KD: “I just wanted to stay in contact with everybody and let them know that we don’t have to hang with each other just during the season,” Durant said. “There’s the offseason to chill with each other. That’s the best thing about this team – that we realize we’re all a part of a family. I’m very blessed to be a part of that.” And throughout his travels, Durant has been an ambassador of sorts for Thunder basketball, especially halfway around the world in China, where there is an ever-growing NBA fan base. Durant is all about spreading the word about Thunder basketball, about their team-first approach. “That’s what I wanted to do, was let people know who we are as a group,” Durant said. “I’m big on team. I’m big on my teammates and letting everyone know we’re a family and just more than teammates. Nike did a great job of helping me with that. They know my vision and know what I believe in so I just try to get us out there as much as possible. I’m sure we gained a couple of more fans out there in China.”

The Magic’s official site looks at summer league and who the best player in Orlando might be: “It was like that last year with Russell Westbrook, who went on to have a remarkable season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009-10. Westbrook showed during Summer League that he was, by and large, the most ready NBA player at the event. Thus, who will be the Westbrook-like player this year? It may be his teammate, James Harden, who will be returning to Orlando for summer league action. Harden played very well in his rookie campaign for OKC and had some strong performances against the Lakers in the First Round of the playoffs.”

KD shares some thoughts on Stephen Strasburg: “Whenever I get back home to D.C. for a bit I really want to see Stephen Strasburg pitch for my hometown Nationals. I haven’t even had a chance to watch him on TV yet, but I’ve heard so many good things about him that I’ve got to check him out. I do know he’s been pitching as well as anybody and has been real sharp in his first couple of games. You know me, I’m all for anything or anyone that sheds a positive light on D.C.”

PG is their biggest need but Miller would still be a good pickup especially if Walton can't stay healthy and their trust in Sasha remains iffy. Besides his shooting and passing, he is a very good defensive rebounder.

jdstorm :@justinSo if you are Phoenix you turn down Jordan Hill, a promising PF who got better playing with the rockets. Imagine how good Steve Nash would make him. Two Championship level role players with expiring contracts. and One or both of the Knicks lotto picks.You drive a hard bargin.

@justinSo if you are Phoenix you turn down Jordan Hill, a promising PF who got better playing with the rockets. Imagine how good Steve Nash would make him. Two Championship level role players with expiring contracts. and One or both of the Knicks lotto picks.

@SammyI know. Just saying for instance when guys like Deron Williams, CP3, Russell Westbrook are lighting up D-Fish, Miller could come in for him and then it's Kobe on Westbrook (I presume) and Miller on Harden. Much better scenario defensively for the Lakers. I'd argue offensively as well, Miller is a much better 3-pt threat.

@justinWas just about to write that. Interesting. I guess they just plan on punting the tail end of that contract, when Miller's 34. Someone will go over the MLE for him, unless he really just wants a ring.

If there's anything about the process that Durant doesn't like you can be assured that the Goodwin brothers will say something. They are notorious for negotiating in the media. No news is probably good news in this case.

Grolgar :Also, when do y’all think this deal with KD will get done? It seemms like it should be rather straight forward to me.Presti: “Here’s your max contract for the max years.”KD: Thanks. (Signs contract)Presti: See you later.KD: Bye.

Kevin Durant might not want max years. Depending on how his representation feels about the CBA situation, it might benefit Durant to take three years like LeBron / Bosh / Paul and get the higher contract after year seven. It's unknown if this mechanism will exist in the new CBA, though.

They might be negotiating other things, maybe Durant's concerned about the team and Jeff Green, etc. Maybe there are other material things in the contract to hammer out. Maybe it's done already but Sam Presti isn't saying anything until the 8th when it can be signed. Maybe they haven't had a long sit down yet to pore over the details.

Maybe Sam Presti really is playing hard ball and wants to sign Durant after the new CBA is worked out.

Also, when do y'all think this deal with KD will get done? It seemms like it should be rather straight forward to me.Presti: "Here's your max contract for the max years."KD: Thanks. (Signs contract)Presti: See you later.KD: Bye.

@BooyaSeriously. The Thunder have the worst jerseys in the league IMO. I hated them at first. Now I'm used to them, but I still know that they are terrible. The home jerseys look like they were made for a generic team for a Hollywood movie about the NBA and the road jerseys have way too many letters... Can we maybe just get "OKC" on the road jerseys?

I read somewhere that for marketing purposes a team cannot change their jerseys for the first two years. This is year 3. Can the team get alternate jerseys this year?